QB Matt Cassel had a 19-29 record in four years with the Chiefs. / Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

by Staff and wire reports, USA TODAY

by Staff and wire reports, USA TODAY

Formerly unemployed defensive coordinator Rob Ryan joked in January he'd be jobless for about "five minutes."

It took a month.

Matt Cassel easily one-upped Ryan on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings just five hours after he was officially released by the Kansas City Chiefs, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports' Mike Garafolo.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced by the Vikings.

Think the quarterback expected to be cut?

Cassel, who was set to earn $7.5 million in base salary in 2013, was replaced in Kansas City by Alex Smith (traded from the San Francisco 49ers). He will now likely back up Christian Ponder in Minnesota.

The Vikings, who had to rely on unproven Joe Webb in their playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, needed an experienced passer.

A backup during his first three seasons with the New England Patriots, Cassel impressed the league with 3,693 passing yards and an 89.4 passer rating in 15 starts in 2008 after Tom Brady went down in Week 1 with a season-ending knee injury. It was enough for the Chiefs to deal the 34th pick in the 2009 draft to New England for Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Cassel went on to pass for 59 touchdowns with 44 interceptions in four seasons as a Chief but won just 19 of his 48 starts, including a wild-card playoff defeat to the Baltimore Ravens following the 2010 season. He led the Chiefs to the AFC West title that year, but saw his 2011 season shortened by a hand injury. In 2012, he suffered an October concussion and was later benched by coach Romeo Crennel for Brady Quinn.

The Chiefs, who fired Crennel and hired former Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid in the offseason, intended to trade Cassel or cut him if they found no suitors. The trade for Smith didn't become official until Tuesday, when the new league year began.

Woodson leaves Niners empty-handed

Charles Woodson's representative said Thursday that the veteran defensive back's visit with the San Francisco 49ers a day earlier went well and they were just waiting to hear back from the team.

Agent Carl Poston said Woodson spent all day Wednesday in sessions with the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers and was happy with the time he spent around the organization. He left the Bay Area early Thursday, Poston said.

''He enjoyed the visit and I think they enjoyed him,'' Poston said. ''I think it went very well, but I understand they have some people in. It just depends on which way they want to go. I'm just waiting for them to get back to me.''

The 36-year-old Woodson was released by the Packers on Feb. 15 in a salary-cap move. He could fill a need in the secondary after San Francisco lost safety Dashon Goldson on Wednesday when he signed a $41.25 million, five-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Poston said he will begin scheduling meetings for Woodson with other teams.

Leon Washington joins Patriots

Return specialist Leon Washington is a New England Patriot. The former Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets running back tweeted a picture of himself wearing a Patriots cap during a visit to team headquarters Thursday, and the team later announced his signing.

New England lost a punt returner when Wes Welker signed with the Denver Broncos, and Washington's resume includes eight kickoff returns for touchdowns and a 9.9 yard average on punt returns. The Seahawks released Washington after acquiring wide receiver Percy Harvin in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

Saints add ex-Steeler defensive back

Keenan Lewis has been a starter for one season.

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to pay him like one for as many as five.

The team has reached an agreement with the former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback on a five-year contract worth $26 million with $10.5 million guaranteed, according to a person who has reviewed the contract details. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the terms weren't to be discussed publicly.

Lewis heads to New Orleans with the intent of helping what was the second-worst pass defense in the league last season. His AFC-best 23 pass break-ups for the Steelers in 2012 show he's more than capable of doing so.

Colts keep corner, add lineman

The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a new deal with cornerback Darius Butler, who played in 11 games last season with four starts, Thursday. He picked off a career-best four passes in 2012 and returned a pair for TDs. Terms of the contract were not revealed.

Butler, who flamed out as a 2009 second-round pick of the New England Patriots, seems to have finally found his footing in Indy, where he'll likely see plenty of playing time opposite Vontae Davis. The Colts struck a deal with corner Greg Toler on Tuesday.

"Darius is a talented football player that bought in from day one," GM Ryan Grigson said in a statement. "His athleticism and especially his ball hawk ability were literally evident from his first day of practice. We were fortunate to acquire him when we did because he really provided a spark for us last season.

"We are very happy to have him back with us and see him build off his promising first year as a Colt."

Later, the Colts announced an addition to their evolving 3-4 defense with the addition of lineman Ricky Jean-Francois. He received a four-year, $22 million contract, a person who reviewed the deal told USA TODAY Sports' Robert Klemko. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Colts do not reveal terms.

"Ricky is a quick, aggressive and extremely powerful player," said Grigson. "He has been a mainstay the last four years within a dominant NFL defense with a lot of special players. He not only has familiarity with our scheme and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, but he is versatile enough to play any of our defensive line positions."

The San Francisco 49ers drafted Jean-Francois in the seventh round in 2009. He's played in every game since 2010 and had a career-best 22 tackles and two sacks last season.

Ravens re-sign pair of DBs

The Baltimore Ravens locked up a potential starter in safety James Ihedigbo on Thursday.

With the possible departure of free agent safety and former NFL defensive player of the year Ed Reed and the release of safety Bernard Pollard, Ihedigbo could earn a starting role after starting 12 games with the New England Patriots in 2011 and three last season for the Ravens in the absence of injured Pollard.

In his five NFL seasons, Ihedigbo, 29, has been to four consecutive AFC Championship games as a member of the Ravens, Patriots and New York Jets.

The Ravens also re-signed cornerback Chris Johnson, a midseason pickup who started one game last season and played in five.

Kerry Rhodes looking for work

The Arizona Cardinals have parted with free safety Kerry Rhodes.

His public relations firm issued a statement from Rhodes that read "Playing with the Cardinals has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I want to thank my coaches, teammates and Arizona fans everywhere for making the last three years truly remarkable. Change is always exciting and I'm optimistic about what the future holds. Wherever I go or whatever I do, I look forward to working hard and giving 110%, as always."

The team has yet to officially announce the move.

The Cardinals re-signed strong safety Rashad Johnson at the start of free agency after cutting Pro Bowl predecessor Adrian Wilson. The team also reached an agreement with Yeremiah Bell on Wednesday.

Cardinals add Jasper Brinkley to changing defense

The Cardinals also signed linebacker Jasper Brinkley, according to the team. Brinkley's agent told USA TODAY Sports it's a two-year deal. Financial terms were not immediately available.

Brinkley, 27, joins the Cardinals after being credited with 99 tackles for the Minnesota Vikings this last season while serving as the team's middle linebacker. Brinkley replaces Paris Lenon, who was unsigned at the end of last season by Arizona. Backup Stewart Bradley was also not retained and signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos.

Brinkley's deal came after the Cards met with Rey Maualuga and also after Brinkley visited the New York Giants. Maualuga, unsigned by the Cincinnati Bengals so far, might wind up making a visit to the Giants in the near future.

The Cardinals will look to further strengthen their defense when they bring in defensive end Matt Shaughnessy for a visit Friday, as ProFootballTalk.com reported. Meanwhile, cornerback Antoine Cason left Arizona without a deal, though the sides will continue to talk.

Giants get new safety

The New York Giants reached a deal with safety Ryan Mundy on the same day Kenny Phillips joined the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mundy has been a backup and spot starter in four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He came under a bit of fire for the angle he took on Demaryius Thomas' 80-yard touchdown in the Denver Broncos' overtime victory over the Steelers following the 2011 season. Coach Mike Tomlin later exonerated Mundy by saying he was carrying out the proper assignment.

Phillips was the Giants' first-round pick in 2008 but started just 41 games while battling myriad knee problems.

Trueblood was an inconsistent player for seven seasons in Tampa, most of it spent at right tackle. He could supplant Jammal Brown and Tyler Polumbus, both free agents. The Redskins also signed veteran right tackle Tony Pashos on Monday, the same day left guard Kory Lichtensteiger re-upped for five years.

Another receiver visits New England

One receiver definitely won't be enough for the New England Patriots.

A day after signing Danny Amendola to replace Wes Welker, the Pats are bringing in former Buffalo Bills wideout Donald Jones for a visit, a person informed of the meeting told USA TODAY Sports' Mike Garafolo. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team doesn't comment on free-agent meetings.

Jones was to be a restricted free agent, but the Bills did not extend him a tender despite his 41 receptions and four touchdowns last season. Jones landed on injured reserve in December because of a nagging calf injury.

It's unclear if the injury had anything to do with the Bills' decision to not even give the former undrafted free agent an original-round tender offer of only one-year, $1.323 million.

Anyone who thought the Patriots were anywhere close to done checking out, and signing, wide receivers after the Amendola deal was clearly underestimating the team's desire to upgrade at the position, especially considering Amendola and Brandon Lloyd are the only two receivers with more than two career receptions on the roster.

Lions keep Pro Bowler, tackle retires

Long snapper Don Muhlbach has agreed to a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

The Lions worked out two long snappers, including Ryan Pontbriand, at a specialists tryout earlier this month. But the 31-year-old Muhlbach was expected to return for a 10th season in Detroit.

Muhlbach made the Pro Bowl last year.

The Lions signed punter Blake Clingan after the specialists workout and are expected to re-sign kicker Jason Hanson, who recently informed the team that he wants to play a 22nd year.

Meanwhile, left tackle Jeff Backus, who had his streak of 187 consecutive starts snapped last Thanksgiving, announced his retirement by releasing a statement.

"I've come to the conclusion that it's time for me to hang up my cleats and retire," Backus said. "It's a bittersweet moment, but I'm content knowing I gave everything I had, played as hard as I could and tried my best to live up to the standards I believe in."

Browns re-sign back

Chris Ogbonnaya agreed to a two-year deal to re-sign with the Cleveland Browns. In 15 games in 2012, he compiled 217 yards from scrimmage.

Former WVU quarterback attempts comeback

Pat White has done more than two-and-a-half year's worth of soul searching since washing out as the 44th overall draft selection by the Miami Dolphins in 2009. Now 27, he insists he won't waste a comeback chance that began in earnest with a private throwing session for NFL team evaluators following Thursday's West Virginia University pro day.

"I was just following my heart,'' White said afterward. "When I was with the Dolphins, I selfishly walked away from the game, which, in turn, got me cut. I tried to run from myself, had nowhere to go. And my heart brought me right back to the game of football. I'm going to do this until the day I die.''

How did he do Thursday?

"I thought I did pretty well,'' he said. "I'm pretty certain I'll be in somebody's uniform next year, whether it's the NFL or the Canadian Football League. I'm excited about that.''

His quarterback guru, George Whitfield, Jr. told USA TODAY Sports that as many as 10 teams have expressed interest.